Generator-heat pump composite device

ABSTRACT

A generator-heat pump composite device comprises an internal combustion engine, a transmission device, clutches, a heat pump and a generator, wherein the internal combustion engine is connected to the heat pump and the generator via the transmission device and the clutches, respectively. The fuel for the internal combustion engine may be natural gas or biogas, and the heat pump may be a mechanical vapor compression heat pump. When the internal combustion engine is in operation, the heat pump and/or the generator can be selectively driven by engagement or disengagement of the clutches, for selectively generating electricity and/or cold and heat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an energy generating device, and particularly, to a device which is capable of generating electricity and/or cold and heat.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to technology developments and economic progresses, an electric power already becomes a necessity for our daily lives and economic activities. It is needless to say that a lack of the electric power will cause inconveniences to our daily lives. Furthermore, since climate warming results in abnormal weathers, in recent years, it makes the occurrence frequency and scale of disasters all over the world larger than ever before. The brittle electric power system will be the first to be affected, and thus, the electric power can not be stably supplied.

Similarly, refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatuses are important to our modern lives. Most of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatuses operate by consuming the electric power. In the event of power failure, these refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatuses cannot operate. For modern people who are used to a comfortable air-conditioning environment, the power failure will affect the quality of the life seriously. Moreover, refrigerators cannot generate cold due to the power failure, so that foods stored therein are rotten easily and the foods are possibly treated as wastes, resulting in losses. If these rotten foods are eaten carelessly, it is possible to harm eater's health. Especially, for manufactures, food processing plants, super markets, hotels, hospitals, etc., the electrical power is more important. Therefore, in order to prevent losses caused by an interruption of the electric power, hypermarkets, hotels, or hospitals can mostly prepare standby generators. However, this type of generators is typically a well-known diesel generator. When the diesel generator operates, it can not only make large noise, but also generate a large amount of harmful waste gas. This will cause an air pollution to make people around feel uncomfortable. Additionally, to ensure that the diesel generator has a sufficient operation period, a certain amount of fuel must be stored for the diesel generator. Consequently, an additional fuel storage space is required, resulting in a relative fuel storage cost. Furthermore, the storage fuel has a potential risk. When the diesel generator is almost out of fuel, it is necessary to supplement the fuel manually. This is dangerous and quite troublesome.

A system for generating electricity and cold/heat simultaneously was disclosed for example, in Taiwanese Patent No. 389824, entitled “Power generating device combined with heat, ventilation, air condition” or in a so-called combined cooling, heating, and power system (CCHP). This type of the power generating system generally recycles waste heat to generate cold and heat in cooperation with a thermal-actuated heat pump or an absorption heat pump. However, its disadvantages are that the system has a complicated internal structure, has more heat exchangers, easily generates heat losses, has a high manufacturing cost, and is uneasily maintained.

Furthermore, the absorption heat pump requires a sufficient and stable heat source or waste heat (for example, exhaust gas from a turbo-machine or waste heat discharged from industrial process), so it is not appropriate to be installed in general households. Therefore, regardless of the consideration of cost or technical problem, it is hard to promote this type of prior art mentioned above to general users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to resolve the above-described problem, the present inventor provides a generator-heat pump composite device driven by an internal combustion engine. A natural gas is used as the fuel of the internal combustion engine. The main component of the natural gas is methane, and CO₂ and H₂O are produced after burning the natural gas. Thus, there is no pollution problem. On the other hand, the gas pipelines are generally distributed and arranged in cities, so the fuel can be obtained easily and conveniently. The reasons to use the natural gas as the fuel of the internal combustion engine are that in addition to considering environmental protection issues, the supply of the natural gas can not be affected by floods, power failure, etc. and the natural gas is a very stable energy source. Therefore, the natural gas is particularly suitable for the device of the present invention. Moreover, if the device of the present invention is connected to a gas pipeline such as a utility gas pipeline, then the gas natural can be supplied stably and continuously. Furthermore, the space for storing the fuel and the potential danger caused by the storage fuel can be eliminated.

The generator-heat pump composite device driven by an internal combustion engine according to the present invention comprises an internal combustion engine, a transmission device, clutches, a heat pump and a generator, wherein the internal combustion engine is connected to the heat pump and the generator via the transmission device and the clutches, respectively. The heat pump and/or the generator can be selectively driven by the clutches so as to selectively generate electricity only or cold and heat only, or generate electricity and cold and heat simultaneously. The transmission device is used to adjust the mechanical power output of the internal combustion engine, and thus it is advantageous that the generator and the heat pump can operate under a stable revolution speed. Furthermore, the transmission device adjusts and distributes a mechanical power transmitted to the generator and the heat pump according to the degrees of power requirement and cold and heat requirements.

The heat pump can generate heat and cold sources simultaneously for cold and heat requirements, to sufficiently use energy, and to optimize the utilization efficiency of energy. According to the device of the present invention, the heat pump can be a known vapor compression heat pump, wherein the types of compressors used comprise a centrifugal compressor, a screw compressor, a scroll compressor, a reciprocating compressor, a turbo-compressor, etc. In order to achieve a high-efficient heat pump, a multistage exchanger, for example, a double-effect or multiple-effect system, is used, so a heat loss can be reduced. Under an operation condition with cold and hot temperature difference over 25° C., the coefficient of performance (COP) of the vapor compression heat pump can reach 7 or more.

For example, a traditionally known vapor compression heat pump almost uses an electric-actuated motor to operate the compressor, so as to compress a gas refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure superheated gas refrigerant. Next, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant flows into a condenser (i.e., the heat source of the heat pump), and cooled and condensed into a saturated liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion device and is decompressed and expanded into a low-temperature liquid-gas refrigerant, and then flows into an evaporator (i.e. the cold source of the heat pump) for heat absorption and evaporation. Therefore, the heat source and the cold source can be formed at the condenser and evaporator of the heat pump respectively to achieve the purpose of supplying cold and heat. According to the device of the present invention, the compressor of the heat pump is driven by the internal combustion engine via the transmission device, using a mechanical energy. The coefficient of performance (COP) can be greatly enhanced without energy conversion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a generator-heat pump composite device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a part of the generator-heat pump composite device according to the present invention, wherein the heat pump is driven by an integrated motor generator; and

FIG. 3 shows a part of the generator-heat pump composite device according to the present invention, wherein the heat pump is driven by an integrated motor generator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The technical features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, it is a schematic view showing a generator-heat pump composite device according to the present invention. The generator-heat pump composite device is designated by reference numeral 1. The generator-heat pump composite device 1 comprises an internal combustion engine 11, a transmission device 12, a first clutch 13, a second clutch 14, a generator 15, and a heat pump 20. The heat pump 20 comprises a compressor 21, a heat source 22, a cold source 23, a heating fluid loop 24 and a cooling fluid loop 25. Since the structure of the vapor compression heat pump, such as an evaporator, a condenser, and an expansion device, is known, the description thereof is omitted.

The internal combustion engine 11 is coupled to the transmission device 12. The transmission device 12 is coupled to the generator 15 via the first clutch 13 and to the heat pump 20, specifically the compressor 21 of the heat pump 20, via the second clutch 14.

The transmission device 12 can be selected from a transmission of a gear system, a transmission of a hydraulic system, or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The transmission device 12 can adjust the mechanical power of the internal combustion engine 11 to a rotation power with appropriate revolution speed and torgue.

A natural gas functioning as the fuel is supplied to the internal combustion engine 11. The internal combustion engine 11 operates by burning the natural gas. After the mechanical power of the internal combustion engine 11 is adjusted by the transmission device 12, the mechanical power is transmitted to the generator 15 and the heat pump 20 via the first clutch 13 and the second clutch 14, respectively. The mechanical power of the internal combustion engine 11 is selectively transmitted only to the generator 15 or to the heat pump 20, or to the generator and the heat pump 20 simultaneously. Therefore, the generator-heat pump composite device 1 can substantially operate under three modes. The three modes are a heat pump priority mode, a generator priority mode, and a composite mode.

Under the heat pump priority mode, the first clutch 13 is in a disengagement state, and the second clutch 14 is in an engagement state. At this time, the generator 15 is standby and not in operation. The mechanical power of the internal combustion 11 is totally transmitted to the compressor 21 of the heat pump 20. When high cold and heat requirements exist, for example, when a large amount of cool air is required in hot summer, the generator-heat pump composite device 1 is set to the heat pump priority mode.

Under the generator priority mode, the first clutch 13 is in an engagement state, and the second clutch 14 is in a disengagement state. At this time, the heat pump 20 is standby and not in operation. The mechanical power of the internal combustion 11 is totally transmitted to the generator 15. When an electric power requirement, such as commercial building and hospital emergency power supply requirements, is larger, the generator-heat pump composite device 1 is set to the generator priority mode.

Under the composite mode, both of the first clutch 13 and the second clutch 14 are in an engagement state. At this time, the heat pump 20 and the generator 15 operate to generate electricity and cold and heat simultaneously. Preferably, the transmission device 12 can appropriately adjust and distribute the mechanical power of the internal combustion engine 11 according to the loads of the heat pump 20 and the generator 15, so that the heat pump 20 and the generator 15 can operate under the most favorable revolution speed and torque conditions, individually.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat pump 20 comprises the compressor 21, the heat source 22, the cold source 23, the heating fluid loop 24 for circulation of a heat supplying fluid, and the cooling fluid loop 25 for circulation of a cold supplying fluid. The heat source 22 is a condenser in the heat pump. The heating fluid loop 24 passes through the heat source 22 an exchanges heat with the heat source 22. In order to further enhance the utilization efficiency of energy, the heating fluid loop 24 is directed to a hot end of the internal combustion engine, so that the heat supplying fluid is further hated so as to increase the usability of the heat supplying fluid. At the same time, the internal combustion engine is therefore cooled so as to enhance the thermal efficiency of the generator-heat pump composite device 1. The cold source 23 is an evaporator in the heat pump. The cooling fluid loop passes through the cold source 23 and exchanges heat with the cold source 23. The heat supplying fluid can be used for warming a house, heating water, etc., and the cold supplying fluid is used for refrigeration, air-condition, and cooling water, other cooling requirements, etc. Generally, the heat supplying fluid may be water, and the cold supplying fluid may be water or air. Of course, other suitable gas media or liquid media can also be applied to the heat supplying fluid and the cold supplying fluid depending on usage.

Preferably, the generator-heat pump composite device 1 further comprises an automatic transfer switch (ATS) 16. When a city power supply is interrupted, the automatic transfer switch can switch the load of the electric power requirement terminal to the generator-heat pump composite device 1 automatically. However, when the city power supply is recovered, the load is automatically switched back to the city power.

On the other hand, the generator-heat pump composite device 1 can also be applied to distributed power supplies. A user may decide to use the city power or actuate the generator-heat pump composite device according to conditions for operation of the generator-heat pump composite device. For example, if the cost of operation of the generator-heat pump composite device is higher than the cost of the city power, even though the city power is still supplied normally, the load of the electric power requirement terminal can be switched to the generator-heat pump composite device.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment according to the present invention, wherein only a part of the generator-heat pump composite device 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The generator 15 is an integrated motor generator. When the city power is supplied normally, the generator 15 which is an integrated motor generator can also function as a motor and be actuated by the city power. Under this circumstance, the first clutch 13 and the second clutch 14 are in a disengagement state, and the generator 15 functioning as a motor drives the compressor 21 of the heat pump 20 via a third clutch 17 in order to supply cold and/or heat.

FIG. 3 is another alternative embodiment, wherein the generator-heat pump composite device 1 can further comprises an electric-actuated motor 18. When the city power is supplied normally, the motor 18 is actuated by the city power to drive the compressor 21 of the heat pump 20 via the third clutch 17 for supplying cold and/or heat. Therefore, according to the generator-heat pump composite device of the present invention, the heat pump in the generator-heat pump composite device may be used independently as a general heat pump system for supplying cold and/or heat, so that a single device can be used for different purposes. Moreover, when the internal combustion engine is in operation, the third clutch 17 is preferably in a disengagement state.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates that the generator and the heat pump are disposed in parallel, the generator and the heat pump may be disposed in series. Thus, electricity as well as cold and heat can be generated simultaneously. Furthermore, it should be understood that the fuel of the internal combustion engine is not limited to the natural gas. The natural gas may be supplied by a gas cylinder. According to the present invention, the device can also use other gases having similar components, combustible gases or biogases. It is noted that liquid fluid such as gasoline, diesel, alcohol can be applied to the internal combustion engine.

Consequently, the device of the present invention has the following advantages:

1. The supply of the natural gas is not affected easily by disasters or power failure, and the main component of the natural gas is methane, and only CO₂ and H₂O are produced after burning the natural gas without other pollutants, resulting in more environmental protection effects.

2. The natural gas can be supplied by a gas pipeline of a utility (for example, a gas company) directly, rather than by manpower. Therefore, the cost for storing the fuel and the potential danger caused by the storage of the fuel can be eliminated.

3. The compressor is driven by the mechanical power of the internal combustion engine directly, so energy conversion is eliminated and the utilization efficiency of energy is enhanced.

4. It is benefit to the realization of a distributed power generating system. As compared to a centralized power generating system, the power transmission consumption and the costs of power transmission and distribution can be saved.

5. Under a normal power supply, the heat pump in the device of the present invention can function as a general heat pump independently, so the device is multi-functional. While this invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, it should be understood that various changes and modifications could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention shall not be limited to the disclosed embodiments but have the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 generator-heat pump composite device -   11 internal combustion engine -   12 transmission device -   13 first clutch -   14 second clutch -   15 generator -   16 automatic transfer switch -   17 third clutch -   18 motor -   20 heat pump -   21 compressor -   22 heat source -   23 cold source -   24 heating fluid loop -   25 cooling fluid loop 

1. A generator-heat pump composite device, comprising an internal combustion engine, a transmission device, a first clutch, a second clutch, a heat pump and a generator, wherein the internal combustion engine is used to generate a mechanical power and is coupled to the transmission device, the transmission device is coupled to the generator via the first clutch and to the heat pump via the second clutch, and the mechanical power is selectively transmitted to the generator and/or the heat pump by disengagement or engagement of the first clutch and the second clutch, for selectively generating electricity and/or cold and heat.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat pump is a vapor compression heat pump, which consists of a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion device.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine is a gas internal combustion engine for which a fuel is selected from gasoline, diesel, alcohol, natural gas or biogas.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein in the case that the fuel is selected from natural gas or biogas, the fuel for the internal combustion engine is supplied from a gas pipeline or a gas cylinder.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an automatic transfer switch, automatically transferring a power load from a city power to the generator-heat pump composite device or from the generator-heat pump composite device to the city power.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heat pump further comprises a heating fluid loop for circulation of a heat supplying fluid and a cooling fluid loop for circulation of a cold supplying fluid, wherein the heating fluid loop passes through the condenser of the heat pump and exchanges heat with the condenser, and the cooling fluid loop passes through the evaporator of the heat pump and exchanges heat with the evaporator.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein after the heating fluid loop passes through the condenser, the heating fluid loop is directed to a hot end of the internal combustion engine, so as to re-heat the heat supplying fluid.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the heat supplying fluid and the cold supplying fluid are selected from water, air or refrigerant.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a third clutch, wherein the generator is an integrated motor generator, which is capable of functioning as an electric-actuated motor, and when a city power is normally supplied, the compressor of the heat pump is driven by the integrated motor generator functioning as the electric-actuated motor via the third clutch.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a third clutch and an electric-actuated motor for driving the compressor of the heat pump, wherein when a city power is normally supplied, the compressor of the heat pump is driven by the electric-actuated motor via the third clutch.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission device adjusts and distributes a mechanical power transmitted to the generator and the heat pump according to loads of the heat pump and/or the generator.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission device is selected from a transmission of a gear system, a transmission of a hydraulic system, or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 